Tara Murray
Diggers Rest has learnt its lesson from last season in the Riddell District Football League.
After some of their biggest losses in about 10 years, the Burras have been stung into action in the lead up to 2022.
Despite having some poor performances, the Burras were sitting third when the season was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Burras’ coach Jamie Lobb said that they’ve had a really good pre-season.
“We’re a lot more advanced than last year,” he said.
“We’ve learned our lessons from last year when we had a few horror performances.
“The players have prepared themselves better, there was an attitude of being a bit complacent.
“That they will roll back in after a year off without putting in the work. The attitude of the group has changed.”
Lobb set some fresh faces at the club has reinvigorated the group.
Marcus Calvaresi, Mitchell Day, Jake Hiam, Mithcell Jenson and Lachlan Ronaldson have all joined the club from the Essendon District Football League.
Lobb said they had all fitted in really well.
“The new guys haven’t missed a session,” he said. “They’ve played a lot of footy together and know how each other plays.
“They’ve been some of the best trainers in the off-season and are setting the example.”
Deven Costigan returns to the from Western Australia, while Josh Wallace returns from injury in a boost for the Burras.
Lobb said some of the younger players had taken a step up in pre-season and would be again pushing for senior spots.
“It’s been another good pre-season for Thomas Schwarzenberg and Benny McMahon,” he said.
“Justin Tenaglia is leading the way with the running, 19-year-old taking it on his shoulders.”
Lobb said the club was setting high expectations for itself for the coming season.
“We are not out there just to have a run around,” he said.
“We didn’t see the full advantage of having a top five last year. We’re aiming for that top spot and a week off in finals, as all the top sides would be doing.”
The Burras will have to wait an extra week to start their season, with a bye in round one which is on April 2.
They will then kick off their season in round two against Melton Centrals, before the Easter break the following week.
Lobb said they were still working out what they would do that first week of the season in terms of training.
